Music streaming

[Nac]

Hi I'm wondering what's he best way to go,Cambridge audio cxn,pioneer 70ae,Yamaha sp 2000.theres some bargains here in NZ ,any thoughts,much appreciated cheers

[Stratmangler]

Hi I'm wondering what's he best way to go,Cambridge audio cxn,pioneer 70ae,Yamaha sp 2000.theres some bargains here in NZ ,any thoughts,much appreciated cheers

None of them.
Read this thread http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?54441-New-to-streaming-please-help

[Sherwood]

Hi I'm wondering what's he best way to go,Cambridge audio cxn,pioneer 70ae,Yamaha sp 2000.theres some bargains here in NZ ,any thoughts,much appreciated cheers

Don't be put off. You can try a Google Chromecast Audio as a low cost way of trying out streaming. If you are tech savvy you can try out one of many diy options based on the raspberry pi computer. My preference is to use it with the Allo Digione and a good dac. Others favour using pcs or laptops though I personally have found this to be unsatisfactory not least because of cabling issues and tying up a pc. As to dedicated streamers, I have a Cambridge CXN. It is good and very user friendly. However, my Digione sounds better at a much lower cost.

Geoff

[Nac]

Cheers for that,it might be a bit short on features for me but will look into availability etc here in NZ

[Sherwood]

It's more flexible than you think. The chrome cast will work into any hifi with rca phono inputs with a cheap 3.5mm to phonol cable. However, it gives best quality into a DAC with an optical cable.

The app is very good. Basically, almost anything you play on your phone, tablet or pc can be played through your hifi.

Geoff

[Stratmangler]

Don't be put off. You can try a Google Chromecast Audio as a low cost way of trying out streaming

It's the simplest, and because its dependant on the device sending the stream it's one of the most flexible methods. The Chromecast device doesn't have any built in apps to be supported by the manufacturer.


If you are tech savvy you can try out one of many diy options based on the raspberry pi computer

This is the way I'd go, but I've been using Squeezebox devices for many years.
My Pi has piCorePlayer installed on it, and I use the Pi purely to host the server (LMS), which means that it controls off site streaming (BBC iPlayer, Spotify, and the Radio Paradise flac stream. It can also handle Tidal, Qobuz & Deezer).
I have a local library of flac files on a NAS box, and these are also accessible via LMS.

There is also player software in piCorePlayer, which makes the Pi behave in the same manner as a Squeezebox does.

The Squeezebox way of running things means you can access and control the player from either an app on a Smartphone, or from a web browser (which is the way I tend to control things).

[WAD62]

This is the way I'd go, but I've been using Squeezebox devices for many years.
My Pi has piCorePlayer installed on it, and I use the Pi purely to host the server (LMS), which means that it controls off site streaming (BBC iPlayer, Spotify, and the Radio Paradise flac stream. It can also handle Tidal, Qobuz & Deezer).
I have a local library of flac files on a NAS box, and these are also accessible via LMS.

There is also player software in piCorePlayer, which makes the Pi behave in the same manner as a Squeezebox does.

The Squeezebox way of running things means you can access and control the player from either an app on a Smartphone, or from a web browser (which is the way I tend to control things).

As above...:)

[loonytunes]

When it comes to streaming if it comes to quality of sound, generally speaking I'm getting excellent results from an sMS-200 Ultra. Yes it's expensive, but it sounds way better than other streaming solutions I have tried.

I personally like using the sMS-200 with its built in Squeezelite implementation (although there are many other options). Perhaps I should have mentioned that the sMS-200 does not have a DAC, and will only connect to a USB DAC.

I've heard that the Cambridge Audio CXN now supports Tidal streaming if you are interested (or is imminent at least). Nowadays there are many ways to skin this cat - but I will warn you that, as versatile and convenient at the Google Chromecast is, it's not really for the audiophile

[Sherwood]

When it comes to streaming if it comes to quality of sound, generally speaking I'm getting excellent results from an sMS-200 Ultra. Yes it's expensive, but it sounds way better than other streaming solutions I have tried.

I personally like using the sMS-200 with its built in Squeezelite implementation (although there are many other options). Perhaps I should have mentioned that the sMS-200 does not have a DAC, and will only connect to a USB DAC.

I've heard that the Cambridge Audio CXN now supports Tidal streaming if you are interested (or is imminent at least). Nowadays there are many ways to skin this cat - but I will warn you that, as versatile and convenient at the Google Chromecast is, it's not really for the audiophile

The Chromecast is an entry device but at 30 quid it is very good. With digital, diminishing marginal returns kick in quickly. I agree that the sMS-200 Ultra is very good. On a subjective scale I would put my Cambridge CXN at, say, 75. The sMS would be in the mid 80's. I would put the Chromecast in the high 60s.

I have probably overstated the differences, but the point is that the CXN is clearly better, but of course it should be at more than 20 times the price. I have one plugged into a very revealing bedroom system with a pair of Martin Logan Motion speakers and I am constantly surprised how good it is with Deezer. I was listening to Muddy Waters Folk Singer the other night and it sounded great through the Chromecast.

Geoff

[bob4333]

OP, are you looking to stream from a commercially available service or a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device in your home?

I changed from a computer based feed to NAS + Renderer + DAC (with some cat 5e cabling) and the change up in quality was immense. Not as good as vinyl but certainly very convenient and as my music is more instantly accessible I get to listen to a wider selection, just picking favourite tracks and adding them to a playlist.

The CXN and Pioneer are well received over here and put the renderer and DAC into one box. As both are DLNA/UPNP compliant they can be controlled via an app (many available free) running on an Apple or Android device.

I'd say give it a go.

[Stratmangler]

This is why you should not consider boxes from traditional manufacturers
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/2/6/16979102/spotify-ends-support-speakers-receivers-pioneer-denon

The OP, being from NZ, may not have been aware of the furore when Auntie Beeb did something similar http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-31487515

[Nac]

Thanks Guys ,I'll probably go CXN way,ex warranty etc over here,lot of inputs,outputs and great sound

[Sherwood]

Shame you are not nearer as I could do you a good deal on my CXN. It is very user friendly, and sounds very smooth. However, I find the bass and mid a little bloated and compared to my Digione Pi System, lacking in detail and resolution.

Geoff

[Nac]

Yes that would've been handy,I have done some digging for digione etc availability here in NZ but Australia is closest option,so that's a no go

[Sherwood]

Yes that would've been handy,I have done some digging for digione etc availability here in NZ but Australia is closest option,so that's a no go

Why don't you contact andre@allo.com directly and add that you are an AoS member. He may be willing to ship a complete Rpi/Digione system direct.

Geoff

[Nac]

Ok cheers Geoff,I'll give it a go

[Sherwood]

Good luck. Just one point, your DAC needs an RCA coaxial input. In order to maximise sound quality the Digione has dropped optical. I see Allo have a complete Rpi/Digione assembled with all the gubbins for $169. I would go for the Volumio OS personally though it is easy enough to download other apps and burn them to an sd card.

Geoff

[Nac]

No worries there,have spare coax input on my REGA DAC ,cheers